2021 Audi S5 Review

　　

2021 Audi S5 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Perhaps with the ubiquity of SUVs, we've forgotten that cars aren't simply about utility. Style matters, and great design connects with us in ways that acres of available cargo space can't. When it comes to emotional appeal, few cars are as striking as the 2021 Audi S5. Whether the S5 is in coupe, convertible or four-door hatchback form, its lines and proportions match its impressive V6-powered performance and sharpened handling.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi S5 Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$200/mo  for S5 Premium

　　S5 Premium

　　Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $52,500 MSRPPremium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $52,500 MSRPPremium 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $60,600 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $56,100 MSRPPremium Plus 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $56,100 MSRPPremium Plus 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $64,200 MSRPPrestige 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $60,600 MSRPPrestige 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $60,900 MSRPPrestige 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $68,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　More powerful and luxurious than its A5 counterpart, the S5 adds about 100 horsepower and some extra standard features such as massaging front seats, heated rear seats and diamond-stitched leather upholstery. While the newly redesigned BMW 4 Series Coupe offers stiff competition, the S5 stirs the soul. Read our Expert Rating below to get our full in-depth take on this year's S5.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the S5 drive? We tested an S5 Sportback, which is the four-door hatchback. There's plenty of power from the turbocharged V6, even if it's not immediately explosive off the line. Once on the move, acceleration is swift, steady and satisfying. In zzdcar' track testing, our S5 Sportback test car was able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a rapid 4.3 seconds. The brakes work well to bring all that speed to a halt, offering relatively fade-free performance in dynamic situations, but they're equally easy and smooth-acting during a casual commute.

　　The S5 is capable around corners too. Our car came equipped with the optional S Sport package. It helps blend the best of all-wheel-drive traction with the nimble feeling of a rear-wheel-drive car. The S5's dynamic steering also feels well matched to whatever drive mode setting you're in.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the S5? We continue to be amazed at the balance of the S5 Sportback. Comfort is just as much a priority as performance. The front seats are very supportive and pleasant, and the available heated and ventilated elements work swiftly. The easy-to-use climate control maintains the cabin temperature accurately, and the fans aren't excessively noisy, even on high.

　　The optional adaptive suspension is a great way to go in the S5 because it offers excellent qualities for multiple scenarios. Comfort mode smooths out rough interstates and broken pavement with ease, while Dynamic mode keeps the body motion in check through spirited driving. The S5 is relatively silent at all speeds and well isolated from both road and wind noise.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Getting in and out of the S5 Sportback's front seats is easy. If you're on the taller side, you might have to duck to get into the rear seats due to the sloping roofline. There's a good amount of room for front occupants plus plenty of adjustment range for the driver. The rear seats are decent in terms of comfort and space for two adults up to about 5-foot-10 or so.

　　Audi's S5 Sportback doesn't have the dual touchscreen interface that the newer Audis have, but that could be a good thing for some people. Most interior controls are clear, logically placed, and consistent in look and feel. The menu structure for both the digital instrument panel and the touchscreen menu system takes a few uses to learn, though.

　　Visibility out of the front is decent. The over-the-shoulder view is a bit compromised due to the Sportback design and the thick rear roof pillars. The available surround-view camera system definitely helps when you're backing out of parking spaces.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Audi's 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system's graphics are crisp and vibrant. Audi's Virtual Cockpit, a configurable fully digital instrument panel, is able to display nearly anything you want with as much information you want. The navigation system is straightforward and simple to use. The voice controls work pretty well, and while they're not quite conversational, the commands come close and have a good breadth of functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard.

　　Most of the S5 Sportback's advanced driver safety aids are optional except on the top Prestige trim, which is a little disappointing. But they all worked smoothly in our testing.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The S5 Sportback has a good amount of room for stuff in the rear cargo area under the hatch. The 40/20/40-split rear seats help give you versatility for odd-sized objects. The load height is reasonable, and the cargo area is free of intrusions.

　　The storage for small items in the cabin is merely average. There are a couple of small pockets in the center console area with room to keep items like a phone, keys or credit cards. The center console bin can fit a wallet and other similar-size items but nothing much bigger. The cupholders are on the small side, so don't plan to stop for that Big Gulp.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the S5 Sportback gets 23 mpg in combined driving (20 city/28 highway). This is slightly below average in its competitive class. On our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, we observed 23.5 mpg on 91 octane, indicating the EPA's numbers are realistic. Naturally, more spirited driving could result in fuel economy falling into the mid- to high teens.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the S5 a good value? Audi's S5 Sportback is well built, which is something we've come to expect from Audi. There are no unsightly gaps, welds or hinges, and the interior is simple but modern. Our only gripe: the piano black surfaces around the shifter and center console area that attract fingerprints. The warranty and ownership experience are decent.

　　The S5 Sportback is on the pricier side compared to peers when they're similarly equipped. The starting price of $52K isn't bad, but once you equip it thoroughly, it closes in on $70K — which is slightly more than the competition. There's value with the midline trims, but you may miss out on a couple of desired features.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　While the S5 Sportback has a sleek profile, its overall design is quite understated. If you want to have some fun, the S5 is capable of delivering it. Power is ample but not overwhelming, and it's well matched to the Audi's handling capability. It engages you and once you're done having fun, you ease off and enjoy it purely as a luxury sedan.

　　

Which S5 does zzdcar recommend?

The base S5 Premium is tempting, but you need to add the optional Convenience package to get features such as keyless entry, driver-seat memory function and satellite radio — features that should really come standard. As such, we say spend a little more for the Premium Plus trim. It includes the Convenience package features along with some other appealing extras such as adaptive cruise control.

　　

2021 Audi S5 models

The 2021 Audi S5 is the high-performance counterpart to the A5. Compared to the A5's four-cylinder engine, the S5 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

　　The S5 is similarly offered in coupe, convertible (Cabriolet) and four-door hatchback (Sportback) body styles. The coupe and convertible seat four, while the Sportback accommodates five. The S5 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige.

　　Premium

　　The S5 Premium base trim comes well equipped with:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Sport suspension LED headlights Panoramic sunroof Power liftgate (Sportback) Three-zone automatic climate control Leather and faux suede combination upholstery Power-adjustable, heated front sport seats LED ambient cabin lighting Auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated toll road transponderTechnology and safety features include:

　　10.1-inch central touchscreen Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connections Forward collision mitigation (warns you of impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)The optional Convenience package for the Premium trim adds:

　　Auto-dimming side mirrors Keyless entry Heated steering wheel Driver-seat memory functions Front and rear parking sensors Satellite radio Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)Premium Plus

　　Moving up one tier to the Premium Plus gets you the features of the Convenience package as standard plus:

　　Digital instrument panel Driver-seat memory functions Simulated leather-wrapped center console and armrests Wireless charging pad with a signal booster Rear USB charge ports (Sportback only) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the S5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S5 and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the S5 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)Prestige

　　The Prestige trim maxes out the tech and comfort features, adding:

　　Upgraded headlights 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system Heated rear seats Navigation system Head-up display Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)The Premium Plus and Prestige trims can also be equipped with several options, including:

　　S Sport package Adaptive suspension dampers Sport rear differential Warm Weather package Different sport seats with ventilation but without massage Leather upholstery Neck heaters (convertible only) Black Optic package 20-inch wheels High-performance summer tires Black exterior trim accents Premium leather upholstery Dynamic steering (changes steering ratio for higher or lower effort based on speed) Bang & Olufsen premium sound system

　　

2021 S5 Highlights

Type: HatchbackCoupeConvertibleHatchback

　　Trim: PremiumPremium PlusPrestigePremium

　　

Base MSRP	$52,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$200/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles